Staff Conference Meeting
Plowden Auditorium
August 19, 2014
Meeting called to order at 2:03 pm
Members present: Jeanie Faris, Kelly McGinnis, Grant Scurry, Gena Smith, Margaret Williamson,
Rosanne Wallace, Maria D'Agostino, TJ Carney, Niki Behr, Rebecca Best, Kelly Shelton, Sharen
DuBard
Members absent: Debbie Garrick
Approximately 90 staff members attending (includes assembly members)
Margaret Williamson opened the meeting referencing the video presented in the opening address
that showcased events over the summer, most of which highlighted staff.
I.
Welcome from Debra
Debra reiterated her statements in the opening address that morning. She appreciates the staff
and their work that it is vital to the success of the institution. Often times we are their first point
of contact before faculty and we are on the front lines, so to speak. We help to make the students
feel at home on our campus.
II.
Signs announcing our meetings
Thank you to campus police for posting the signs for our meeting today.
III.
Updates regarding committees
a. Sign-ups available via www.winthrop.edu/staff
Staff will be able to select their first, second and third choices. Signups will be available for 2
weeks. We are still discussing the total number of staff that will be on each committee. Please
encourage colleagues to sign up and be involved.
IV.
Office hours
a. Flex hours
The conversation continues regarding flex hours and the administration is willing to review.
b. Summer hour studies
HR is asked to see if there are surveys that other institutions did regarding the benefit
economically and otherwise of summer hours.
V.
Parking permits
a. Hanging vs. stickers
Chief Zebedis and Debra Boyd will continue to keep hanging tags in consideration.
b. Coliseum employees are required to get a parking pass. However it is an open lot but
Tom Hickman (athletic director) strongly encourages them to purchase one.
VI.
Business discounts
a. Please let Kelly McGinnis know of any discounts businesses give to Winthrop
employees. mcginnisk@winthrop.edu
Staff assembly members are making calls to local businesses to discuss current and possible
discounts to Winthrop employees. The list will be available on the staff assembly website and
provided to new staff members in welcome packets.
Question: isn’t there already a list on the HR website – Amenities and Services?
Answer: The website mentioned is more for on campus options.
VII.
Elections for representatives from Student Life and Institutional Advancement
Email has been sent to staff members for these divisions requesting nominations. Please discuss
with the person you would like to nominate to see if they are interested and willing. Submissions
will be accepted by email, Deadline September 1, 2014.
VIII.
Holiday schedule for this academic year
a. Labor Day off – Reminder that we will have Labor Day off.
b. Election Day – Reminder that offices are open but classes are cancelled for November
th
4 .
Open Forum for questions/comments
Question: Is time served on committees to be during office hours or on their own time?
Answer: With supervisor’s approval, staff members can use office hours to participate.
Question: Summer hours study – Can it be reviewed in the fall and notification provided earlier
than it has been in prior years?
Answer: Yes, notification will be given earlier in the year.
Question: Summer hours study – Is one of the options all or nothing, meaning everyone observes
summer hours?
Answer: HR can look into the possibility as there may be essential staff that is needed on those
Fridays.
Question: Parking Decal – can it be on the bumper or will the person receive a ticket if it is not on
the back window? Someone voiced concern over placement options for a compact car and
possible blind spot with the current decal.
Answer: Debra instructed those that have not placed the decal to wait until she receives further
information and confirmation on where the decal can be placed. Is it possible to ask for
replacement sticker?
Question: If hanging tags becomes an option, will there be a change to the parking direction, or
will backing into spaces be allowed?
Comment: If there is a bumper for the space it is suggested to pull into space and not back in as
you would be ticketed.
Comment: Parking Appeals Committee needs to staff members if anyone wants to volunteer.
Comment: Reminder about WU club supports our students through scholarships. WUCrew for 12
years old and younger. Employees can use payroll deduction for the enrollment fees.
Comment: Reminder sporting events are free for employees, spouses and their dependents.
Question: Can Winthrop make a comeback from this identity crisis, branding issues? Is the WU
logo coming back or is the Tillman tower logo the only one we should use?
Answer: Debra feels that current logos are not mutually exclusive and that Winthrop has been
through many changes from Winthrop College to University. We can use them both and do so
appropriately.
Question: Has the Marketing Director been hired?
Answer: Candidates have been interviewed but it has not been filled at this time.
Comment: Video serves as a great ambassador of what we do, it is available on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE5p1OZUjPA&feature=youtu.be
Comment: Volunteers for Move In to help with recycling efforts for Sustainability. Collecting
trash and recycling to keep it out of the landfills. If you need a recycle bin, contact Chris Johnson,
johnsonc@winthrop.edu. He received a grant and has 400 bins available.
Question: Can we provide more detail on committees?
•Elections and Nominations: Committee members on this committee will be responsible for
presenting the slate of staff members nominated to serve on the Staff Assembly in March of each
year. The committee members will be responsible for conducting elections of representatives via
the Assembly website in March of each year. Committee members will review the votes and notify
Staff Conference who is elected to serve on the Assembly.
•Media & Communication: Committee members on this committee will assist with all forms of
communication, including helping the Historian with the newsletter.
• Professional Development: Committee members will initiate staff development opportunities
with appropriate offices and people. The group will be sensitive to the wide variety of interests
among staff members.
•Campus & Community Involvement: Committee members will coordinate social, volunteer, and
other activities to provide staff with opportunities to interact outside of their normal job roles.
•Recognition: Committee members will increase awareness of the contributions of staff to
Winthrop, and promote the recognition of outstanding staff.
Next Conference Meeting: September 16 at 2:00 p.m. in Whitton Auditorium.